7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Butter
It’s been said that the only thing better than butter is more butter. I wrote this piece of branded content for Organic Valley in an effort to prove to readers that, when it comes to health, butter isn’t always the bad guy. The article appeared in Mediaplanet’s 2016 “What’s For Breakfast” issue, distributed within USA Today.
Like most sweet dishes, butter is the secret ingredient in these cocoa brownies. Photography by Laura Murray.
From popcorn to pasta, butter can help an otherwise dull dish tickle your taste buds. Though the spread has been the victim of multiple negative smear campaigns, when used in moderation, butter boasts a wide variety of health benefits. Whether it's used in baking, cooking, or just spread on toast, butter is a staple in many households. Here are seven facts you might not know about it.
1. Improved gastrointestinal health
Butter helps protect the body against gastrointestinal issues as it's partially comprised of fatty acids called glycosphingolipids that build up mucus layers against bacterial infection.
2. Stronger immune system
Butter is rich in the nutrient carotene, which can turn into disease-fighting antioxidants and contribute to vitamin A levels in the body, playing a big part in boosting the immune system.
3. Healthier heart and eyes
Did you know certain types of cholesterol are good for you? Butter contains high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which helps prevent heart disease and stroke. The beta-carotene in butter also helps prevent eye-related conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.
4. Cancer defense
Butter actively helps in the fight against cancer by promoting cell death in malignant tumors, a process called apoptosis driven by the presence of vitamins that help the immune system do its job.
5. Increased thyroid function
Because butter is packed full of vitamin A, it directly supports endocrine system health and prevents thyroid-related ailments by helping with hormone regulation.
6. Bone repair
Minerals in butter — including manganese, zinc, copper and more — stimulate bone health and regrowth and keep you from developing osteoporosis and arthritis.
7. Weight loss?
Butter, especially grass-fed, is a great source of a fatty acid called Conjugated Linoleic Acid. This fatty acid has powerful effects on metabolism and is actually sold commercially as a weight loss supplement. CLA has been shown to have anti-cancer properties as well as lowering body fat percentage in humans However, some studies on CLA show no effect on body composition.